Apparatus for cleaning a prosthesis

ABSTRACT

An inventive apparatus for cleaning a prosthesis in a microwave oven. The inventive apparatus comprises a container having an opening at the top thereof, a cover which is removably positionable over the opening, and a holding device, removably positionable in the container, for holding the prosthesis. Since most prostheses contain at least some metallic parts, the container and cover are each composed of a microwave insulating material. The inventive apparatus allows the quick and efficient cleaning of prostheses and facilitates the removal of dangerous fungal and bacterial deposits therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to devices for cleaningprostheses. In another aspect, the present invention relates to methodsfor cleaning prostheses.

It has been estimated that 60% of all denture wearers are troubled bychronic stomatitis or other fungal and/or bacterial conditions of themouth. These fungal and bacterial conditions, which oftentimes lead tocancer, are in many cases caused and/or aggravated by fungal andbacterial build-up in the denture material. This fungal and bacterialbuild-up cannot be easily removed from the denture material usingcurrent conventional denture cleaning techniques. Thus, a need presentlyexists for a fast and effective means of (1) thoroughly cleaningprostheses and (2) eliminating fungal and/or bacterial build-up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a prostheses.The apparatus comprises: a container having an opening at the topthereof; a cover which is removably positionable over the opening; and aholding means, removably positionable in the container, for holding theprosthesis. The container and the cover are each comprised of amicrowave insulating material. The holding means preferably comprisestwo upwardly extending elongate members and a support member having asloping upper surface. The support member is preferably connected to theelongate members such that the elongate members and the sloping uppersurface of the support member form a restriction for gravitationallyholding the prosthesis on the sloping upper surface and against theelongate members.

The present invention also provides a method of cleaning a prosthesis.The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) placing the prosthesis,water, and an amount of denture cleanser sufficient for cleansing theprosthesis in a microwave insulating device and (b) heating the contentsof the microwave insulating device in a microwave oven. The microwaveinsulating device used in the inventive method is preferably theinventive prosthesis cleaning apparatus.

The inventive apparatus and method can generally be used to clean anydental or facial prosthesis. Examples of such prostheses generallyinclude: full dentures, partial dentures, any type of orthodonticappliance, maxillo facial prostheses, orthodontic tempro mandibularjoint prostheses, and the like.

The inventive apparatus and method generally provide a fast andeffective means for (a) thoroughly cleaning a prosthesis, (b) removingfungal and/or bacterial build-up therefrom, and (c) eliminating odor. Byheating the cleaning system, (i.e., the prosthesis, water, and denturecleanser) in a microwave oven, a hot cleaning solution is quicklyobtained. Increasing the temperature of the cleaning solution generallyaccelerates the cleaning activity of the denture cleanser. Additionally,heating the cleaning system in a microwave oven causes a desirabledegree of molecular vibration to occur in the prosthesis and in thefungal and/or bacterial materials which have deposited on theprosthesis. As a result of this molecular vibration, the cleaningsolution penetrates rapidly and deeply into the prosthesis and into thefungal and/or bacterial material.

In addition to the above, the inventive apparatus can generally be usedto expedite, facilitate, and simplify any conventional (i.e.,non-microwave) process for solution cleaning a prosthesis. The holdingmeans of the inventive apparatus provides excellent cleaning fluidcirculation during the cleaning process and greatly simplifies therinsing, cooling, and drying processes which are typically performedafter the cleaning process.

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art uponreading the following description of the preferred embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an elevational front view of an embodiment 2 of theinventive apparatus.

FIG. 2 provides an elevational side view of the inventive apparatusdepicting the positionability and removability of cover 6 and prosthesisholding means 8.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of container 4.

FIG. 4 provides an elevational side view of the cover and holding means8.

FIG. 5 provides an elevational rear view of cover 6 and holding means 8.

FIG. 6 provides an elevational front view of cover 6 and holding means8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment 2 of the inventive apparatus is depicted in FIGS. 1-6. Asshown in FIGS. 1-3, embodiment 2 generally comprises: a container 4having an opening at the top thereof, a cover 6 which is removablypositionable over the container opening, and a prosthesis holding means8 which is removably positionable inside container 4. Since mostprostheses typically contain metallic parts, container 4 and cover 6 areeach preferably composed of a microwave insulating material. As usedherein, the term "microwave insulating material" generally refers to anymaterial in which a metallic object can be safely microwaved in amicrowave oven. Due to its microwave insulating ability and its ruggeddurability, container 4, cover 6, and prosthesis holding means 8 are allpreferably composed of polycarbonate.

As shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 4, a rim 10 is attached to thebottom of cover 6 near the outer edge of said cover. The outsidediameter of rim 10 is slighly less than the inside diameter of theopening at the top of container 4. Thus, when cover 6 is positioned overthe opening at the top of container 4, rim 10 fits inside the opening tohelp hold the cover securely on the container and to help seal thecontainer.

Front, side, and back views of prosthesis holding means 8 are shown inFIGS. 4, 5, and 6. Prosthesis holding means 8 has two upwardly extendingelongate members 12 and a sloping support member 14. Support member 14has a planar upper surface 16. As shown in FIG. 6, the side ends ofsupport member 14 are tapered such that support member 14 becomesnarrower as it slopes downward. A plurality of apertures 18 extendingthrough support member 14 and surface 16 facilitate fluid circulation,drainage, and drying.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, the bottom ends of elongate members 12are attached to upper surface 16 at the side ends of support member 14.As shown in these figures, elongate members 12 and sloping supportmember 14 operate together to form a restriction wherein a prosthesis 20can be gravitationally held on top of surface 16 and against elongatemembers 12. Consequently, prosthesis 20 can be placed in the restrictionof holding means 8 so that the holding means and the prosthesis can beeasily placed into and taken out of container 4. Holding means 8 canalso be used to conveniently hold prosthesis 20 during subsequentrinsing and drying procedures.

Holding means 8 also includes means for preventing prosthesis 20 fromsliding off of surface 16 when the holding means is tilted. As shown inFIG. 1, elongate members 12 prevent prosthesis 20 from sliding off ofsurface 16 in the forward direction. Elongate members 12 also restrictthe side-to-side movement of prosthesis 20. In order to further restrictthe side-to-side movement of prosthesis 20 and to prevent prosthesis 20from sliding off of the back end of support member 14, holding means 8also includes an upwardly extending support member 22. As shown in FIGS.4, 5, and 6, the lower edge of upwardly extending support member 22 isattached to surface 16 at the upper end of support member 14. Upwardlyextending support member 22 has an arcuate upper edge which ispositionable beneath prosthesis 20. In addition to restricting thebackward and sideways movement of prosthesis 20, upwardly extendingsupport member 14 factilitates fluid circulation and drainage bypartially holding (i.e., raising the back end of) prosthesis 20 abovesurface 16.

Embodiment 2 also includes standing means, positioned at the bottom ofholding means 8, for standing the holding means in an upright positionon a substantially horizontal surface. The holding means of apparatus 2basically consists of two standing supports 24 attached to the bottom ofsupport member 14. Standing supports 24 extend backwardly and outwardlyfrom the bottom of support member 14. The bottom edges of standingsupports 24 lie in essentially the same plane as the lower edge ofsloping support member 14. Thus, the bottom edges of standing supports24 and the lower edge of sloping support member 14 will support holdingmeans when the holding means is placed on a level surface.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the upper ends of elongate members 12 areconnected to rim 10 of cover 6. Thus, cover 6 provides a convenientgripping means which the user can grasp when placing holding means 8 incontainer 4, removing holding means 8 from container 4, and when rinsingthe holding means and the prosthesis.

As is apparent, the inventive apparatus can generally be constructedusing any one of numerous manufacturing techniques. For example,container 4, cover 6, and holding means 8 can be separately molded.Slots can be provided in rim 10 of cover 6 for inserting elongatemembers 12 in order to connect holding means 8 to cover 6. Glue can beused as necessary to more securely connect holding means 8 to cover 6.

In the inventive method, water and a denture cleanser are combined andmixed in container 4 of the inventive apparatus. Subsquently, prosthesis20 is placed in holding means 8, holding means 8 is placed in container4, and cover 6 is placed over the opening at the top of container 4. Theamount of water added to container 4 should be an amount sufficient toat least cover prosthesis 20. The amount of denture cleanser added tocontainer 4 should generally be an amount sufficient to clean prosthesis20. The denture cleanser is preferably a denture powder or liquid whichwill quickly mix with and dissolve in the water.

The contents of the inventive apparatus are heated in a microwave for atime sufficient to provide a hot cleaning fluid. In order to protect theprosthesis from warpage, however, the cleaning fluid should not bebrought to a boil. Given a typical microwave oven and assuming that theapparatus contains from about 6 to about 8 ounces of water, the contentsof apparatus 2 should be microwaved for about two minutes at the oven'sregular setting.

Following the heating and cleaning cycle, holding means 8, withprosthesis 20 held therein, is removed from container 4. Holding means 8is then used to hold prosthesis 20 as prosthesis 20 is rinsed with tapwater. Holding means 8, with prosthesis 20 held therein, is then placedon a level surface. Upwardly extending support 22 and apertures 18 ofthe inventive apparatus allow the rinse water remaining on theprosthesis 20 to quickly drain away.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects andobtain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherenttherein. While numerous changes may be made by those skilled in the art,such changes are encompassed within the scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for cleaning a prosthesiscomprising:a container and a holding means, removably positionable insaid container, for holding said prosthesis, said holding meanscomprising:a first support member having a sloping upper surface, saidsloping upper surface having an upper edge and a lower edge, said firstsupport member having a first end extending between said upper edge andsaid lower edge, and said first support member having a second endextending between said upper edge and said lower edge; an upwardlyextending second support member connected to said first support memberand having an arcuate upper edge which is positionable beneath saidprosthesis; a first side member; and a second side member, wherein saidfirst side member extends upwardly from said first end of said firstsupport member and said second side member extends upwardly from saidsecond end of said first support member such that said first side memberis spaced apart from said second side member and said side members andsaid sloping upper surface form a restriction for receiving saidprosthesis and for gravitationally holding said prosthesis on saidsloping upper surface and against said side members.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said container has an opening in the top thereof, saidapparatus further comprises a cover removably positionable over saidopening and the upper ends of said side members are connected to saidcover.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first support member hasat least one aperture extending through said sloping upper surface. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising standing means, positionedat the lower end of said holding means, for standing said holding meanson a substantially horizontal surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said holding means further comprises a means for preventing saidprosthesis from sliding off of said sloping upper surface when saidholding means is tilted and for holding said prosthesis in a partiallyraised position above said sloping upper surface.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said container is comprised of a microwave insulatingmaterial.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said container iscomprised of polycarbonate.
 8. An apparatus for cleaning a prosthesiscomprising:a container having an opening at the top thereof; a coverremovably positionable over said opening; and a holding means, removablypositionable in said container for holding said prosthesis, said holdingmeans comprising two upwardly extending elongate members and a firstsupport member having a sloping upper surface, said first support memberbeing connected to said elongate members such that said elongate membersand said sloping upper surface form a restriction for gravitationallyholding said prosthesis on said sloping upper surface and against saidelongate members, said holding means further comprising an upwardlyextending second support member connected to said first support memberand having an arcuate upper edge which is positionable beneath saidprosthesis.